5 pre-workout snacks to fuel your body

5 pre-workout snacks to fuel your body

These five tasty snacks will give you that much needed pre-workout energy boost and quell those hunger pangs without bloating you.

5 pre-workout snacks to fuel your body

1. Toast with banana and cinnamon

When it comes to a pre-workout snack, carbs are your best friend – so long as they are complex (low GI)so that they release energy slowly and steadily throughout your workout. Whole wheat toast with a natural nut spread and banana is great for an energy-kick. Bananas raise your potassium levels, which you lose when you sweat. For a blood sugar stabilising bonus, add a sprinkle of cinnamon to the equation.

2. Greek yoghurt and trail mix

If it’s a run you’re preparing for, yoghurt is a great way to provide energy while going easy on your stomach. The dried fruits in the trail mix will add a quick energy boost for the beginning of the run, while the seeds and nuts, which are higher in fat, take longer to digest and will help you mid to end workout. But don’t go too nuts with the dried stuff – too much will leave you feeling sluggish.

3. Apple wedges with nut butter

Avoid a sugar crash mid squat and tuck into an apple beforehand. Rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants (and the all-essential pre-workout sugar), it will keep you going for longer. To quell those hunger pangs, spread a tablespoon of almond, peanut or brazil butter onto your slices. It will also give you that much-needed energy boost.

4. Veggie omelette

For those wishing to load up on protein, you can’t look past eggs. An omelette is a great breakfast option for those who are working out mid-morning. Consume one to two hours beforehand if you are working on resistance or muscle building. Add mushrooms, capsicum and onions rather than meat to make digestion easier.

5. Green Smoothie

Not only is this snack full of slow-burning carbohydrates, but if you add the right ingredients (a dollop of Greek yoghurt, a banana, kale and some baby spinach leaves) it’s also packed full of iron and will also fill you without weighing you down. If you’re extra hungry, add a couple of tablespoons of wheatgerm or oats before whizzing.